The Do-Over (The Rooftop Crew #5) - Piper Rayne Page 0,74
hand. “I get it now. But I’m just going to tell you this. I know you’re upset because… of her.”
I smile that he didn’t say her name.
“But when he’s with you, it’s completely different. He’s happier and laid-back. He’s himself. She had this way of keeping him on edge. You get along with his parents and all of us.”
“Some of you,” I say.
He smiles. “I’m protective. He’s my boy.”
I nod, happy that someone looks out for Knox since he thinks it’s his job to look after everyone else.
“Give him a second chance.” Dylan turns his head toward the camera all the other patrons are staring at.
Knox is on the screen, showing his badge and arguing with the bouncer. But the bouncer is having none of it. The crowd goes wild with screams and chants of “Make the cop beg!”
Dylan’s hand covers mine. “Believe me, I don’t vouch for a lot of guys, but that one… he’ll keep your heart safe. And if he doesn’t, you can kick me in the balls.” He takes his beer and walks away.
The bouncer makes Knox pretend he’s making out with himself, wrapping his arms around his chest and running them over his back. After he’s done, the patrons cheer and the bouncer lets him through. The door opens and they all clap and cheer. But Knox ignores them, searching the room. I watch from my dark corner of the bar. He finds Dylan first and he in turn points at me. I dodge eye contact with Knox as if my drink is the most interesting thing in the world.
But a second later, Knox slides into the booth with me. Unlike the last one, this man doesn’t stay on the other side. He slides all the way in beside me until he can grab my hands.
“Don’t end this,” Knox says. “I have no idea why she thought I’d want her back. I would never do that to you. I don’t want her. I want you. Only you. You have to believe me. What do I have to do to prove it?” I say nothing, and he continues. “I know Dylan beat me here, but I had to make sure she knows there’s no shot. That you’re the one who owns me.”
“Own? Should I get a leash?”
He smiles and the waitress comes over, but he puts up a hand. “If you want. But… hold up.”
He stops and slides out of the booth, walking away.
What is he doing? My gaze follows Knox, but he gets swallowed by the crowd. Two minutes later, the waitress comes over with a drink and slides it my way.
“Oh no, this is enough. Otherwise, I’ll be on your floor by closing time.”
She laughs. “No, this is from the gentleman at the bar.” She points.
Knox tips his beer bottle my way as Rian and Dylan pretend they don’t know what he’s doing.
“Tell him thanks.”
“This is a cute little game you two play,” she says and walks away.
Then Knox stands from the bar with his beer in his hand and walks through the throng of people, his eyes on me the entire time. Stopping at the edge of the booth, he signals at the empty spot. “Can I sit down?”
“Sure,” I say.
He sits, ignoring my questioning expression. “I’m Knox.”
I can’t help but smile. “Kamea.”
“Knox and Kamea sound pretty good together,” he says, and I giggle.
“Would that have been your line?”
He chuckles. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”
I roll my eyes.
“I would’ve asked you to dance.” He looks around. “But I’m guessing I have to ask you to complete a mission with me?”
“I don’t even know you,” I play along.
“What do you want to know?” he asks.
“Whatever you want to tell me about yourself.” I sip my drink.
“I fell in love with you on the way over here.”
“All the way from the bar?”
He chuckles. “Something like that.” He winks and slides out of the booth and holds out his hand. “What do you say? Trust me?”
This is it. This is the moment I either decide to leave the past and my insecurities aside and charge forward into my life with this man and see what comes of it, or I let my fear and doubts steal something that could be pretty great.
I slide my hand into his with a cleansing breath. “I trust you.”
And I do. Because somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him too.
Everyone points at the television—it’s all our other friends, trying to gain entry. Jax refuses to do the